Hi there!

Welcome to the May issue of With You in Mind, a newsletter by Dementia Singapore in collaboration with The Straits Times.

In this issue, read about how healthcare facilities in Singapore are incorporating familiar settings like bus shelters into dementia wards to provide comfort and reduce anxiety for patients.

Yishun Community Hospital, for instance, features a bus stop within its dementia ward, offering a recognisable space that helps patients feel at ease and can trigger positive memories.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to create dementia-friendly environments that support the well-being of patients by integrating elements from their daily lives.

As the number of dementia cases rise with an ageing population, offences committed by persons with impaired judgment are becoming more common in Singapore.

Conditions like frontotemporal dementia can affect impulse control, leading to cases of – molestation or aggression. While courts may consider reduced responsibility, they must also balance public safety and victim impact.

Experts call for a more nuanced approach, including treatment-focused alternatives, caregiver support and community care. As dementia blurs the lines between intent and illness, legal systems must adapt to ensure justice is served with compassion and dignity.

The Mobile Inpatient Care @ Home (MIC@Home) programme lets eligible patients receive hospital-level treatment at home for conditions like dengue, cellulitis and urinary tract infections.

Managed by doctors, nurses and allied health teams through teleconsultations and home visits, the initiative helps ease pressure on hospital beds while offering clients a more comfortable recovery experience.

Now available across public hospitals, MIC@Home is set to expand further, with plans to include post-surgical care and rehabilitation. Patients benefit from better rest, reduced infection risk and greater convenience, making the programme a key part of Singapore’s shift towards more sustainable, home-based care.

Happy reading!